Queso de Burgos vs Roumy Cheese
Queso de Burgos is a fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty cow and sheep-milk cheese from Spain, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
What Is Queso de Burgos?
Queso de Burgos is a fresh white cheese from the province of Burgos, Spain, eaten within days of being made. Once a sheep's milk cheese sold at the Burgos market, it received EU Protected Geographical Indication status in September 2025.
What Is Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Queso de Burgos and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Queso de Burgos (Spain), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Queso de Burgos (Cow’s and sheep’s milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Queso de Burgos (Fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Queso de Burgos (None), Roumy Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Queso de Burgos (Fresh, not matured), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Queso de Burgos (Mild, milky, and slightly sweet), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queso de Burgos | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Burgos | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow’s and sheep’s milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty | Hard |
| Rind | None | Natural |
| Aging | Fresh, not matured | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Mild, milky, and slightly sweet | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Queso de Burgos Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Queso de Burgos reads as mild, milky, and slightly sweet, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. On the nose, Queso de Burgos offers smells of fresh milk; varies in intensity based on sheep’s milk content, contrasted with Roumy Cheese's pungent. Aging plays into this as well. Queso de Burgos at fresh, not matured develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Queso de Burgos for Roumy Cheese?
Queso de Burgos can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Queso de Burgos reads as mild, milky, and slightly sweet while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Queso de Burgos or Roumy Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty cheese, go with Queso de Burgos. For a hard profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Queso de Burgos suits recipes that want mild, milky, and slightly sweet notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queso de Burgos the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de Burgos originates in Spain, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Queso de Burgos is made from cow and sheep milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Queso de Burgos is typically aged fresh, not matured, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Queso de Burgos similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queso de Burgos for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queso de Burgos taste like Roumy Cheese?
Queso de Burgos reads as mild, milky, and slightly sweet, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong. Aromas also diverge. Queso de Burgos leans smells of fresh milk; varies in intensity based on sheep’s milk content, and Roumy Cheese is closer to pungent.
What is Queso de Burgos made of?
Queso de Burgos is made from cow and sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh, not matured. It originates in Spain.
What is Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Queso de Burgos or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso de Burgos is fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty, while Roumy Cheese is hard.